Travel package or room only?

[Bugsmom73]

We usually do a package but I have done both.

 

[UGAFan0829]

I've always booked the package. Like others, I just like having everything all together...room, tickets, dining, etc. It's just easier having one confirmation for everything, and it's a lot less work!

 

[Sleeping Becca]

For me it depends, the dining plan was a good enough value for us to book a package in 2005 and sometimes the offers that they send in the mail are a better deal than buying the components separately.

I'll price both and I'll book what I perceive is a better value. Before the advent of the dining plan, we pretty much did room only.

The new dining plan doesn't have as much value as the prior dining plan so room only is looking more attractive right now. I will crunch the numbers on the deluxe dining plan to see if that is a better value.

In summary, normally room only is a better deal, the room, the tickets, and the transfer purchased separately are almost always (there are exceptions) less money than a Disney Package.

Disney packages offer convience, and those pretty luggage tags.

 

[unicorn1]

Room only, because we buy 10-day tickets to maximize value, which last us more than one trip. For the return visits the room is all we need (we don't eat enough to justify the dining).

I am a little curious, however, about the responses above that say room only because they can find the tickets cheaper elsewhere. I know there are a few authorized 3rd party providers that will save a few bucks. Is that what's being referred to or is there something else that I'm missing?

 

[rt2dz]

I just wanted to add, part of why we do room only is we tend to buy APs and go back the next year within 365 days. We then get the AP discount (if available and the best discount) and buy the DDE card. Saving 20% on exactly what we purchase rather than the dining plan works out as a better savings.

This last trip, however, we bought one AP for the discount on the room and the dining GC and bought 10 day tickets with my DHs corporate discount. Even buying double tickets for next years trip with the corporate discount cost less than buying everyone an AP.

Without the corporate discount on tickets, and the AP rates, we may had done the package. I was snail mailed a package discount code--and any code mailed just can not be beat!

 

[mickeystoontown]

We go in June of each year and we have always bought a package. I just like the convenience of having everything all said and done in one piece rather than having several components to deal with.

I have priced out the Dining Plan and, even without the appetizers and the tips, it still pays for our family to purchase the plan.

Like I said, I just like the convenience and knowing that everything is paid for before I even arrive. I like being able to make payments on my vacation at a little at a time until the 45 days before arrival deadline.

I have never purchased the insurance as the cost of the insurance isn't much less than the penalty I would receive if I canceled the vacation.

Also included in the packages are several vouchers:

$15 Planet Hollywood
Free round of mini putt (just one person-not everybody in your group)
Upgrade from 60 minutes to 90 minutes on watercraft rental

While some may not think these vouchers are very valuable to them, they are to our family. We always eat at Planet Hollywood, always play a round of mini putt and we always rent watermice or some other type of watercraft.

Last year, our vacation included several days of the last week of May and continued through the first week of June. A special offer came out after I had booked the package. The offer included a slight room discount and free park hopper and water parks and more option. I immediately called Disney Travel and told them what I found. They applied the discount and upgraded my tickets. I save about $350.00!

 

[blue_eyes5212]

Package. I love the dining plan and how simple it is to have everything included. If a code comes out, I apply it to my package if possible.

 

[DWGal210]

I also vote for shop around!

For example: right now am booking a trip for 4 people in June, both at the park and also days at sea. The quote from Disney was about $5,600 total, and with a little legwork we're booking now for $4,630 (including park tickets!)

And you don't have to dig deep either to find deals - they're all over!

Happy Planning!

 

[roselark]

Depends. I have always booked a package to get the dining plan. I am planning a solo trip next year and might not do the dining plan, so I would probably book separately depending on discount codes...